As many as 497 cases of pickpocketing were reported in the Delhi Metro in 2018 out of which 94 per cent involved women pickpockets.

New Delhi: As per the official data, 497 cases of pickpocketing were reported in the Delhi Metro in 2018 out of which 94 per cent involved women pickpockets. In 2017, 85 per cent of reported 1,392 cases had women pickpockets.

After the high number of cases reported in 2017, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which looks after the security in metro, increased the staff to identify suspects and catch them red-handed, according to a report in The Times of India. Additional staff dressed in civil clothes deployed at metro stations and CCTV cameras were used to stop the suspects from entering the station premises.

The official data revealed that 1,292 women and 100 men were caught in 2017 while in 2018, 470 women and 28 men were held. CISF and police officials say that most women pickpockets board the metro from central Delhi. They usually carry a child or travel in groups. Men often cross-dress and also carry a child. These criminals board the train from empty stations and deboard at crowded ones to flee.

Reportedly, about 40 women pickpockets were caught every month in 2018. However, none was nabbed in the month of April. The items that they usually steal include cash, laptops, foreign currency, gold and cameras.

Dinesh Kumar Gupta, DCP (metro), said that the special police teams also analysed security lapses and dark spots near the station premises. They also ensure women's safety in and around station areas.

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Wallet stolen in Delhi Metro? It most likely was work of female pickpocketDescription: As many as 497 cases of pickpocketing were reported in the Delhi Metro in 2018 out of which 94 per cent involved women pickpockets.Times Now